Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. No. 170, 1685, page 979. ‘An Extract of a Letter from Mr. Anthony Leewenhoeck [sic]… Concerning the Salts of Wine and Vinegar, etc.’, illustrated by Susanna Lister. After reading Robert Hooke’s Micrographia, Anthony van Leeuwenhoek became fascinated with the microscopic world. He made over 500 microscopes and with these instruments discovered blood and sperm cells in animals, and determined how fertilization occured. He discovered microscopic nematodes and rotifers, and was the first to see microscopic foramnifera. This work, illustrated by Susan Lister, describes his discovery of wine salts and describes the nematode commonly known as vinegar eel.
Although the influence of the Listers’ work has endured for over four centuries, Anna Lister’s identity was nearly lost. Recent interpreters determined that a young woman could not be so talented and the illustrations were attributed to Dr. Lister’s wife Hannah. Another reason for the confusion, was that in the past, names and their spellings were more fluid. Anna, Anne, Ann, and Nancy are all derivative of the name Hannah, and in the 17th century, were used interchangeably. The discrepancy can be settled in Dr. Lister’s own words when he proudly referenced the plates as “the original drawings of my daughters.”
The Lister’s continued to update and perfect Historiae Conchyliorum. These plates of snail shells demonstrate changes from the 1685 to the 1770 “editio altera” with the addition of an image of a living snail. Signed with an “A,” the superb quality of this plate highlights Anna’s talents.
